Toboggan



J. J. WANAT Jan. 16, 1940.

IOBOGGAN Filed April 24, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor .3055 PH J. WA NAT A tiorneys Jan. 16, 1940. J. J. WANAT 2,187,437

TOBOGGAN Filed April 24, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor JOSEPH J. WANAT,

Attorneys Patented Jan. 16, 1940 OFFICE TOBOGGAN Joseph J. Wanat,

Wallingford, Conn.

Application April 24, 1939, Serial No. 269,759

3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in toboggans and more particularly to steering gear therefor.

The invention is designed with the particular purpose in View of providing the usual typeof toboggan inexpensively with eificient, quick-acting, {steering gear'and without resorting to ex tensive modification oi the basic construction of the tobo gan.

Another object is to equip a togobban sled with steeringgear whichis reliable, easy to operate, and adapted to withstand rough usage.

To the accomplishment of the above, and sub,- ordinate objects presently appearing, a preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, set forth in de- ,tail in the succeeding description and defined in the claims appended hereto.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a toboggan equipped according to my invention.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan.

Figure 4 is a view intransverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 looking in the direction'indicated by the arrows, and

Figure 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. I

Describing the invention in detail, with reference to the drawings by numerals, the type of toboggan to which my improvements are shown as applied comprises the usual flat bed I having an upturned front end 2 and transverse laterally spaced cleats 3 extending across the same supporting the usual decks comprising, in this instance, a centrallongitudinally extending slat 4 and a pair of similarly extending slats 5 disposed parallel with slat 4 upon opposite sides of the latter, respectively, the front end of the slat 4 extending somewhat beyond the corresponding end" of the slats 5.

According to my invention, the bed I isproe vided with a central keel strip, or bar 6, formed of any suitable flexible material extending along the bottom of the bed I from approximately transverse center of the upturned end 2 and with the rear end thereof projecting for a short distance beyond the rear end I of said bed. The front end of the strip 6 is tapered to merge into the lower face of the upturnedend 2. A frac tional front end portion 8 of the strip 6 is secured to the bottom of the bed I from substantially the transverse center of said bed forwardly; Theremaining portion 9 of said strip is detached from said bed, or free, for flexing laterally to provide an elongated rudder portion. Preferably the remaining portion 9 tapers rearwardly, laterally, to increase its flexibility progressively rearwardly and is cut down, as at I 0, to clear the bottom of 5 the bed I and, thereby facilitate flexing thereof. The rear end of. the strip 6 has suitably secured thereto an apertured upstanding lug i I for a purpose presently clear.

A pair of opposed right and left hand steering levers 52 are pivoted, as at I3, on the bed I upon opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof to extend laterally, said levers being disposed adjacent to the front terminal of the central slat l but rearwardly of said terminal and with their inner ends spaced close together. The outer ends of the levers I2 are upwardly offset to provide hand grips I4. A pulley I5 is secured between the front terminal of the center slat 4 and the bed I by a headed pin I6.

A steering cable I! of steel is suitably attached at its ends, as at I8, to the lug II and coiled around the pulley I5 with the side runs I9 thereof extended through slots 20' provided in the inner ends of the levers I2, said side runs I9 extending through sections 2I of. flexible sheathing of any suitable material. The sections 2I are extended I through and suitably secured in apertures (not shown) in the cleats 3 to converge forwardly and to extend beneath the slats 4 and 5 with front end 80 portions thereof disposed parallel beneath the central slat 4, as at 22, and spaced apart substantially in correspondence with the diameter of the pulley I5. The side runs I9 of the cable I! are anchored to the levers I2 by grommets 23 fixed to said runs upon opposite sides of said levers as by soldering, (not shown).

The manner in which the described steering gear operates will be readily apparent. Normally the flexible end portion 9 of the strip 6 reacts to center the same in the longitudinal center, of the bed I. However, under operation of either steering lever I2 in the proper direction, side runs I9 of the cable I1 attached thereto will exert a pull on the rear end of said end portion 9 to flex said portion to the same side as that on which the operating lever is located and thereby steer the toboggan in a corresponding direction. Upon release of the lever the parts are returned to normal position by reaction of the portion 9 as will be understood.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suflice to impart a clear understanding of. my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly the invention as described issus- 5:5

ceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept and right is hereinreserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a toboggan having a flat bottom bed, and steering gear for said toboggan comprising a keel strip in the longitudinal center of said bottom having a fractional front portion fixed to said bottom, said strip in the rear of said portion being detached from said bottom and flexible laterally in opposite directions to provide an elongated rudder, and means for flexing said rudder comprising a pair of opposed steering levers pivoted flat on said bed upon opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof and adjacent to the front end of the bed, and cable connections between said rudder and levers, respectively, and extending along the top of said bed.

2. In combination, a toboggan having a flat bottom and a raised slat deck on top thereof, and steering gear for said toboggan comprising a keel strip in the longitudinal center of said bottom extending along the greater part thereof and having a rear end terminal projecting beyond the rear end of said. bed, said strip having a fractional front portion fixed to said bottom, the remaining portion in the rear of said front portion being detached from said bottom and laterally flexible in opposite directions, respectively, to provide an elongated rudder, and means for flexing said rudder comprising a pair of opposed steering levers pivoted flat on said bed upon opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof, a pair of tubular flexible guides secured to said bed upon opposite sides of said center thereof and between said bed and deck, and cable connections between said terminal end of the strip and said levers, respectively, extending through said guides.

3. In combination, a toboggan having a flat bottom and a raised slat deck on top thereof, and steering gear for said toboggan comprising a keel strip in the longitudinal center of said bottom extending along the greater part thereof and having a rear end terminal projecting beyond the rear end of said bed, said strip having a fractional front portion fixed to said bottom, the remaining portion in the rear of said front portion being detached from said bottom and laterally flexible in opposite directions, respectively, to provide an elongated rudder, and means for flexing said rudder comprising a pair of opposed steering levers pivoted flat on said bed upon opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof, a pulley mounted on said bed in advance of said levers, and a single cable secured at opposite ends to said terminal end of the strip and looped around said pulley, said cable extending between said bed and deck and having side stretches anchored to said levers, respectively.

JOSEPH J. WANAT. 

